A senior Catholic leader in northern India has urged priests and nuns trained in law to take a more active role in confronting anti-Christian rhetoric and defending the constitutional rights of minority communities.
Archbishop Raphy Manjaly of Agra issued the call during the seventh national convention of the National Forum of Lawyers (Catholic Priests & Religious) in Jaipur, Rajasthan, held November 28-30. The annual gathering brought together clergy and religious engaged in legal practice, who reaffirmed their commitment to supporting people on the margins of society.
The forum elected new leaders, naming Holy Spirit Sister Julie George as its president and Father Benjamin D’Souza as vice president. Members pledged to expand the group’s presence across India and strengthen its pro-bono outreach.
Archbishop Manjaly encouraged participants to challenge growing “anti-conversion narratives” and to push back against laws and practices that restrict the freedom of Christians. He reminded them that India’s constitution remains the guiding safeguard for all citizens, describing it as “a secular scripture” for the nation.
Jesuit lawyer Father A. Santhanam, a former convener of the forum, said members discussed the need to reinforce state-level structures to respond more effectively to current social and political challenges. “We want to be more effective in our service, especially under the changed circumstances in the country,” he said.
Twelve Indian states now enforce stringent anti-conversion laws, and Christian groups report rising incidents of harassment, particularly in northern regions.
Sister Sheeba Jose, who supports persecuted Christians in Uttar Pradesh, noted that collective legal action can create broader impact. “Individual cases help only a few,” she said. “But when we address issues of wider public interest, we can protect many facing the same struggles.” She emphasised the importance of filing public interest litigations to secure lasting legal relief.
Former Allahabad High Court judge Pankaj Naqvi also addressed the convention, urging the Catholic legal community to coordinate their efforts in the face of growing hostility toward minorities and their institutions. He highlighted the constitutional guarantees of religious freedom and free speech, rights he said are increasingly under pressure.
Sister Helen Teresa of the Holy Family congregation, a practicing lawyer in Jharkhand and the newly elected forum treasurer, said Catholic legal professionals must blend legal skill with pastoral commitment. “We are called not only to practice law, but to defend the soul of the Constitution,” she said. “Our mission is to serve society with expertise, compassion, and courage.”
Adapted from UCA News.
